When writing a column in January it is traditional, almost compulsory, to set out one’s predictions for the year ahead. But if 2016 taught me anything it is that prediction can be a shortcut to looking foolish.

Few commentators, myself included, are rushing to unearth their pearls of wisdom from this time last year.

But if I am hesitant about making predictions, I am much clearer about the big questions facing local government that we will have to be clearer upon by the end of the year.